Crazy to think...

[DaSokPolicy]

We're 4 games behind from catching the 8th spot for playoffs. Yes I know that it's too early and a bit far-fetched to even mention "playoffs". But if there's one thing we know, our team had a better record after the All-Star break the past 2 seasons with almost the same teams. Best case scenario is that we go on a streak after catching momentum before the All-Star game and beat the Bucks (Celtics will probably go to the #7 or #6 spot after the All-Star break too). What do you think are the chances of us passing Philadelphia and the Bucks?

[dan2314]

the bottom of the east is starting to be pretty competitive, toronto, cleveland(with kyrie back) and washington(with wall back) are all also on the way up. i can see atlanta dropping though after losing lou williams, the trade deadline might also change the way some teams look, so a team in the playoffs might potentially give up on the season if they get future assets. itll be tough but we're definitely in the race. the top 5 are going to be the top 5, 3 spots are for atl, philly, milwaukee, toronto, cleveland and washington. i dont think charlotte or orlando can make a push. i think we can be better than all but maybe philly, milwaukee may be in the running to significantly improve their team but as rosters are now, i think we can be very similar over the rest of the season.

[Spider156]

I think I'm going to win my bet. We'll go to the Playoffs. It's very close and I think we can do it. It all depends on Drummond and how he's being handled. I think he'll keep coming off the bench and that was a fantastic plan by Frank. He's the type to hit the rookie wall and with limited minutes, I think he's going to keep being productive the way he has been this season.

[Blkbrd671]

I think I'm going to win my bet. We'll go to the Playoffs. It's very close and I think we can do it. It all depends on Drummond and how he's being handled. I think he'll keep coming off the bench and that was a fantastic plan by Frank. He's the type to hit the rookie wall and with limited minutes, I think he's going to keep being productive the way he has been this season.

Ya after all our b* and moaning , frank actually did a great job with his treatment of Dre. i've always said i wasn't sure that if frank didn't treat Dre the way he has , that dre would be the same player. i'm just glad he finally figured out that keeping Dre in , in late game situations is probably better.

[vic]

take a look at the February and March Schedule:

February and March are both more than likely 6/8 and 5/8.
April is probably the next winning month.

So unless Boston and Milwaukee do a free fall, OR the Pistons start beating up on playoff teams consistently, they’ll more than likely keep their draft pick.

The Pistons have some good role players but I think they need one more star to be a serious threat in the league. Drummond and Monroe are the Big 2. Need one more for the Big 3. I'm hoping they find him in the draft.

Ben Mclemore sg
Otto Porter sf
Trey Burke pg

[mercury]

I could see other teams going into tank mode... not the Pistons.

[Jodi]

I'm still sticking to my 38-44 overall record...Hopefully that gets us in the playoffs, but I'll be happy with our team's growth either way...

[BadMofoPimp]

Personally, I would rather make the playoffs and give Charlotte the 1st round pick this year instead of next year. Just get it out of the way as next years draft has more depth anyways.

[ComboGuardCity]

Personally, I would rather make the playoffs and give Charlotte the 1st round pick this year instead of next year. Just get it out of the way as next years draft has more depth anyways.

+1. It also allows us to trade future picks again. This is a weak draft as is and who knows who decides to stay another year, making it even weaker.

As for Boston, they got lucky and I think the NBA had something to do with it. They conveniently have their western road trip right after the all star break and a week of rest

I still feel the Hawks will continue to lose and blow it up

[vic]

I beg to differ.

There are no bad drafts, just bad drafters. if they draft right they can get a star this year.

If they lose their pick this year they will not be bad enough to get a high pick next year. There's no way you can be a bad team with Monroe and Drummond playing together more consistently.

A draft piece added this year could get them the third star that they need.

A draft piece added next year is more likely to be another role player which keeps them a middle of the pack team trying every year not to be mediocre. If they depend on free agency to add a star player, they're more than likely going to overpay, and end up in a situation where they don't have enough money to spend sooner.

A solid free-agent and a star in the draft this year catapults them into contention in one summer, and skips them past the "we make the playoffs every year but don't do anything" stage

[BadMofoPimp]

A solid free-agent and a star in the draft this year catapults them into contention in one summer, and skips them past the "we make the playoffs every year but don't do anything" stage

FYI. It is very doubtful the Pistons draft lower than 10th in the lottery this year. Unless they get lucky with another Drummond or player that falls into their laps, they are not going to draft a Star. Realistically, another role player. So, there is basically the same chance this year as well as next year of drafting the same caliber player. But, this offseason, the Pistons have money to spend on a rising young player or solid starter.

FYI. Team Management isn't about banking on winning the lottery, but building a winning TEAM!

[mercury]

But the lotto has been berry berry good to us :^)

[vic]

Just think if they get Macklemore and Calderon:

Calderon
Mclemore
Prince
Monroe
Drummond

That's a contender. 3 young stars and 2 solid veterans that can guide the ship , plus solid role players.

If they get Porter and Calderon, same thing- just switch knight to SG and have Prince mentor Otto.

[BadMofoPimp]

But the lotto has been berry berry good to us :^)

How many years of watching your team suck do you want to experience with the possibility of becoming the next Bobcats or Wizards while being stuck in Futility with low chemistry?

[hadzi dogg]

why do people want Calderon so much? Hes a solid point guard that can shoot. but he plays god awful defense. Not an upgrade over Knight and that would stunt Brandons growth.

[vic]

I'm not all about the Lotto either, my prediction before the season was that the Pistons were going to make either the sixth seventh or eighth seed in the eastern playoffs.

But since they already tanked the season by refusing to play their best player more than 20 minutes a game, they might as well not lose the pick.

I think they COULD still get a star at 14.
Trey Burke - a mix between a poor man's Kyrie Irving and a poor man's Chris Paul is bound to be a rich man somewhere. Very underrated. He scores efficiently and runs his offense like a quarterback. Only thing he lacks his defense, which Irving lacks too. Irving is still about to be an all star.

[BadMofoPimp]

What if Trey Burke = Mateen Cleaves???

[Cowology]

Not that shocking. Franks teams have a history of starting slow (and by slow I mean they play like complete and total ****) and then somehow manage to go on a late season run.

We clearly sacrificed some early season wins in favor of player/team development and that is likely to continue. I figured all along we'll be in the running for the 8th spot. To me the more interesting thing will be how we start next season. First 2 years I kinda get, but in the 3rd season, 2nd full training camp etc we should not be digging this sort of hole.

[vic]

What if Trey Burke = Mateen Cleaves???

I'll post an answer I already posted before:

Mateen Cleaves eFG .483 as a senior TS .525
Rebounds 1.8
Steal 1.4
Blocks .2

Isaiah Thomas (sacramento not hof) eFG .517 TS .563
Reb 3.5
Steal 1.3
Blk .1

Trey Burke eFG .590 TS .615
Reb 3.1
Steal 1.2
Blocks .4

Kyrie Irving eFG .615 TS .697
Reb 3.5
Steal 1.5
Blk .5

EFG is a measure of overall shooting and ability to space the floor not counting drawing fouls. TS includes fouls, an indication of ability to score by getting to the bucket. If neither TS or eFG is over 550 the player is a waste on offense.

Rebounds steals and blocks are a measure of in-game athleticism, the athleticism that counts. It translates to defensive ability.

Mateen was a bust before he hit the Nba. Isaiah Thomas has a fighting chance with his ability to get to the hole, and his 2/1 assist/to ratio in the NCAA. That's why I knew he would make it. He's a starter.

Trey Burke spaces the floor and gets to the rim at star level. And he has an assist/to ratio better than Isaiah or Kyrie. He is near the same level defensively as Kyrie, but with a slightly longer wingspan (Draftexpress).

Kyrie is star level at shooting and superstar at driving. Weak defensively though.

Chris Paul is on another plane because he had the athleticism to defend shooting guards in a point guards body. And his freshman scoring numbers were on superstar level. I'll let you look those up on sports-reference .com

That's why I say that Trey will be somewhere between a starter (Isaiah Thomas 1st year) and a star ( Kyrie Irving first year) if he is given a chance. He'll be an above average starter that passes more like Chris Paul than Kyrie Irving - so an above average starter that makes his team better On offense and needs his team to make him better on defense. That's better than 75% of pgs in the league, and it won't take 4 years. All these players showed who they were 1st year ( when they got a chance).

[retrolenny]

I think I'm going to win my bet. We'll go to the Playoffs. It's very close and I think we can do it. It all depends on Drummond and how he's being handled. I think he'll keep coming off the bench and that was a fantastic plan by Frank. He's the type to hit the rookie wall and with limited minutes, I think he's going to keep being productive the way he has been this season.

I'm with you brother. Det takes the 8th seed!